Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-10
Maxey TO Gibbs.

THE EX-SENATOR WILL VOTE FOR THE
AMENDMENT.
PARIS, Tex, April 5, 1887.
Hon. B. Gibbs, Dallas, Tex:
SIR: have the honor to acknowledge
receipt of q communication, under date
Austin, 4th inst, signed by q committee
advising me that meeting was held II
Austin, 30th ult., the object of which was
to Call a convention to meet in Dallas il
May pruX., TO set forth clearly and IN
equlVOCally:
l The time hOnOred and cardinal principles
of the Democratic party from Jetfe son dowr
to the present time, viz: opposition to al
forms of sumptuary legislation.
. vigorous and well organized campaign
a ainst the proposed prohibition amendment
to the constitution
l am invited to be present and to ad
dress the convention. The first PROPOSE
ton in the communication couples with
the second and assumes
/. That the prohibition amendment TO the
constitution to be submitted to vote Of the
people is form of "sumptuary legislation"
, That the believers In he democratic prin'
ciples taught BIZ Thomas Jefferson should
therefore oppose the amendment, and as log
zeal conclusion that the Democratic party
hOuld opp se 1t, for that party and that only
as a political party, adheles 10 Jefersoniar
uoCraCy.
The two resolutions are based on the
assumption contained in the first that
the proposed amendment is in the nature
of sumptuary legislation.
| do not so regard it. The state Of
Texas has complete power over the whole
question as an in egral part Of the great
police powers never granted to the gen
eral government. The police powers Ct
the state are wholly distinct and apart
from sumptuary legislation.
As the people of Texas have the lawful
power, in the MODE and manner pre-
scribed by the constitution, to adopt or
reject the proposed amendment, l pro-
pose, as a Jcffersonian Democrat, 20
abide by what Mr.. Jefferson laid down IS
3 CardinaI principal Of democracy, to-
wit: absolute acquiesCenCe in the de-
cisions OF the majOrity-the vital prin-
Ciple of republics, from which there is no
appeal, but to force, the vital principle
&nd Immediate parent OF despOtism."
Second-Manifestly the propositions
assume thst the Democratic party, as
such, should oppose this amendment.
The phraseology leaves no doubt on
this point, As Democrat l would re
gard the expression at Dallas precisely IS
l regard that at Waco, as in no wise
authoritative or binding on the Demo-
cratic party.
That party should not suffer itself to be
dragged into this controversy.
The only real question involved IN the
proposed amendment is: Is It's adoption
expedient?
On this the wisest and purest men in
the state differ. Democrats of ability,
intelligence and integrity differ.
The Democratic psrty, as such, has
nothing, and ought to have nothing to do
with the question. As citizens, let every
man exercise MS best judgment and vote
accordingly.
propose to exercise my right as citi-
zen, and whilst l do not have the conf
dence which some have in the efficiency
of the measure, to the full extent claimed
for it, l will, in the interest of good NOR
ais, peace and prosperity, resolve the
doubt in favor of that side which seeks
the greatest good to the greatest number,
and vote for. the amendment. Very re-
specially. ESigned, S. B.MAxEY.
Firemen will fn& St. Jacobs Oil inval-
liable after being exposed to severe